All aboard North Pole Express
Hospital patients among those on train trip giving youngsters early taste of Christmas
Auckland youngsters have been fast-tracked to an early Christmas aboard the North Pole Express. With singing and dancing Christmas elves on board, the train left the Strand in Parnell at 6pm last night before looping back to the station, where the children got to meet Santa and play in a pile of fake snow.
The 300 or so passengers were treated to chocolate milk, a cookie and other sweet treats.
Everyone got a special present from Santa’s sleigh too — a silver bell with “Believe” engraved on it.
An entire carriage had 49 people from Ronald McDonald House in it.
Kara Rose Kumeroa-Northcott first went into the Ronald McDonald House in August and will spend Christmas there too.
The 3-year-old from Taranaki has severe aplastic anaemia and was on the train last night with her mother, Keriana Kumeroa, and dad Chresten Northcott.
Ronald McDonald House chief executive Wayne Howett said it was a difficult time for families to be away at this time of year.
“But that is the reality for many families staying at Ronald McDonald House this Christmas as their child will require specialist treatment in a hospital away from home,” he said.
“We need the help of donors and supporters to bring the magic of Christmas to Ronald McDonald House and keep families together even if they can’t be home to celebrate.
Experiences like this one offered by the incredible team at On Track Events will no doubt create wonderful memories for families this festive season and we are very grateful for their support.” It is the first time the festive-themed train has been brought to the City of Sails. The inaugural Wellington-only based event had
Experiences like this one . . . will create wonderful memories for families this festive season.
2500 passengers and was such a success Wellington organiser Sarah Ferguson decided to treat Christmas-crazy Aucklanders this year.
“There are not a lot of immersive events . . . where people can sit back . . . and enjoy being entertained and just celebrating Christmas,” she said.
“This is our opportunity to give that to New Zealand families, part of that is to give to others and inviting Ronald McDonald House and people like that to come on board and have some time away from their lives.”
Wayne Howett, Ronald McDonald House chief executive